Flash light of candle type



' M y 1935. H. G. GRAUBNER 2,002,602

FLASH LIGHT OF CANDLE TYPE Filed April 4, 1952 ATTORNEYS.

Patented May 2a, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FLA SH LIGHT F CANDLE TYPE Herman G. Graubner, New York, N. Y., assignor Oar-bun 00m to National than of New York pony, Inc, a corpora- Application sun 4, 19:2, Serial no. 603,187 Claim (01. zip-10.64)

to the candle. Therefore, one object of this inin vention is to provide a base for such a flashlight formed of comparatively light easily worked and preferably non-ferrous metal having a filler of heavier metal closely formed therein to give sta- V bility to the candle. 15 Another object of the invention is to provide a simple, ruggedgand reliable switching mechanism having four operating positions: (1) a position in which the lower end of the switch operating member is below the lower edge of the base and the lamp is lighted; (2) a position in which the lower end of the switch operating member is flush with the lower edge of the base and the lamp is not lighted; (3) a position in which the switchoperating member is latched with the lower end thereof above the loweredge of the base and the lamp is not lighted; and (4) a position in which the switch operating member is latched with the lower end thereof above the lower edge of the base' and the lamp is lighted.

' Other aims and objects are to provide a candle that is cheaper to manufacture, better in appearance, less liable to corrode, and more rugged in structure. Other aims, objects, and novel features will be apparent from the following specification and the accompanying illustration, in which Fig. l is a side view of the candle with the lower portion in section to I show the structure of the switch and the base.

Fig. 2 is a top view of the base shown in Fig.1 with the battery casing, battery, and bulb removed. v Fig. 3 is'a bottom view of the base shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a vertical section of an alternative form having a unitary base and battery casing in which the switch shown in the former figures is mounted. In the preferred form of the invention shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, the basecomprises a rela- 65 and then turned inward to provide a flange 12 to which is secured-a switch and battery support to be described presently.

The base III is provided with a filler ll of comparativeiyheavy metal having the same form as.

the base and closely fitting therein to give it 5 strength andwiglit. The outer edge ll of the base III is turned downward and then inward under the filler 13 to securely hold it in'place and provide a unitary structure. The filler I3 is pro- 'vided with a central opening 15 through which the support II for the battery casing extends downward. The filler [3 may also be pressed in place and retained by friction, and it may be spaced fromthebase lllany convenientor desirable distance such as being flush with the lower edge. Furthermore, the opening 15 may be of such smaller size as to permit free movement of switch operating member 32.

A battery casing I 6 is attached to the base III by a threaded lower end I! that fits within the support H and the upper end of this casing is provided with conventional means for carrying a lamp bulb l8. This casing is preferably formed of non-ferrous metal, such as brass, the same as the base I 0, so that it will not rust during use 5 when the finish is accidentally removed and the casing is exposed to damp air.

The switching'me'chanism is mounted on a circular dielectric plate l9 secured to the under side of flange l2 by suitable means, such as rivets 20. 0 An inverted U-shaped battery support ii is mounted upon the upper side of plate I! by suitable means, such as a rivet 22, and an ear 23, that passes downward through a slot 24 inplate l9 and is then turned outward. A portion of the upper surface of the battery support 2| is sheared out and bent upward to provide a spring 25 that makes contact "with one terminal of a battery. 26 and provides for variations in its length. In stead of the flat spring 25 others may be employed such as the customary coil spring.

A switch spring 21 is mounted upon the upper side of plate l9 under the battery support 2| by suitable means, such as rivets 28 and 22. Switch spring 21 is electrically connected to battery support 2| by any suitable means as by providing spring 27 with an arm 29 that rests under one leg of the battery support around its attaching rivet 22. I

The plate I9 is provided with an armed opening 30 having one end thereof adjacent. switch support I! and the switch spring 21 is positioned above opening 30 and one end thereof is located above flange l2 with which it is normally in contact unless held away by the switch, operating means; This switch spring 21 is provided with a keyhole-shaped slot 3| having the narrow portion thereof in vertical alinement with opening 36 and the enlarged end thereof out of vertical alinement with opening 30.

Aswitch operating member 32 is provided with an annular groove 33 in which the edges of the narrow portion of slot 3| are positioned to hold member .32 in place. Below switch spring 21, spring operating member 32 is provided with a collar 34 that is adapted to pass through the enlarged central portion of armed opening 30 but does not pass through either of the narrower portions or arms thereof. Below collar 34 switch operating member 32 is provided with a reduced portion 35 that is adapted to be moved into either of the narrower portions or arms of opening 30. Below the reduced portion 35, switch operating member 32 extends downward a short distance below the lower edge of base ||l when switch'spring 21 is in contact with flange |2. The upper end 36 of switchoperating member 32 is adapted to pass through the large portion of the keyhole slot 3| in switch spring 21 for the purpose of convenience in assembly, and as this larger portion of slot 3| is out of vertical alinement with armed opening 30 after the switch is assembled, switch operating member 32 although being movable in both is securely held in position.

The operation of the switch is as follows:

When the switch operating member 32 is in normal position at the center of opening 30, collar 34 will pass downward into the central portion of this opening and allow switch spring 21 to move downward into contact with flange l2 and close the electric circuit through the battery, battery support 2|, switch spring 21, flange I2, casing I6, and bulb I8, which is in contact with the upper terminal of battery 26. With the switch operating member in this position the light will be extinguished each time the candle is placed on a flat surface and will be lighted each time it is raised therefrom.

When it is desirable to place the switch in a position where the circuit is continuously open,

' the switch operating member is manually moved into the arm of opening 30 away from flange |2. In this position collar 34 is resting on the edge of opening 30 and switch spring 21 is held out of contact with flange l2 and therefore the circuit is lockedopen and the lamp will not be lighted when it .is raised from a flat surface.

When it is desirable to place the switch in a position where the circuit is continuously closed even though the candle is resting on a flat surface, switch operating member 32 is moved into the arm of opening 30 towards the flange |2. In

this position collar 34 is resting upon flange l2 and thereby completes the electric circuit between this flange and switch spring 21. Therefore, the lamp will remain continuously lighted until switch operating member 32 is manually moved from this position. v

In both positions of the switch operating member where the circuit is continuously open and continously closed the lower end thereof is above the lower edge of base l0 and therefore the switch operating member is not liable to be moved when the candle is placed on a flat surface.

In the alternative form of the candle shown in Fig. 4 the base 36 and battery casing 31 are formed in one unitary part, preferably of metal, in a manner lmown as die-casting. A threaded portion 38 is provided within the base in which a correspondingly threaded flange 39 is held.

1. In a flashlight of the candle type having a base provided with a flange, a battery casing carried by said base, a battery within said casing, and a bulb mounted upon said casing; a dielectric plate carried by said flange and provided with an armed opening therein; a battery support secured to said plate; a switch spring having a keyhole-shaped slot therein secured to said plate in electrical contact with said battery support and adapted to make electrical contact with said flange to complete the electric circuit through said battery and bulb; a switch operating member having a groove therein by which it is held in said key hole slot and a collar thereon adapted to pass through the center of said armed opening to rest on the top of said switch plate in one of said arms to hold said switch open, and to rest on said flange in the other of said arms to complete the electric circuit; said member extending below the bottom of said base when in the center of said opening so that said switch is open when the candle is resting on a flat surface.

2. In a flashlight of the candle type having a base provided with a flange, a battery casing carried by said base, and a battery and a bulb carried by said casing; a dielectric plate carried by said flange and having an armed opening therein; a battery support carried by said plate and electrically connected to said battery; a switch spring carried by said plate in electrical connection with said battery support, adapted to .contact with said flange, and provided with a keyhole-shaped slot therein in alinement with said opening; and a switch operating member retained in said slot and said opening and adapted to cooperate therewith to move said spring to open position when said candle is resting on a flat surface, to be moved in one direction to hold said spring in open position, and to be moved in another direction where it completes the electrical circuit between said spring and said flange.

3. In a flashlight of the candle type having a base provided with a flange, a casing carried by said base, and a battery and bulb carried by said casing; a dielectric plate secured to the under side of said flange and provided with an armed opening therein having one end thereof adjacent said flange; a switch spring mounted on.

the upper side of said plate with a portion thereof overlying said flange adjacent said opening; means electrically connecting said switch spring with one terminal of said battery; and a switch operating member in said opening having a shoulder adapted for being positioned between 'said switch spring and said flange to complete the electric circuit.

4. In a flashlight of the candle type having a base provided with a flange, a casing carried by said base, and a battery and bulb carried by said casing, a dielectric plate carried by said flange and provided with an armed opening therein;

a switch spring carried by said plate, and provided with a keyhole-shaped slot therein; a switch operating member in said opening and said slot, and provided with a groove in which the edges of the narrow portion of said keyhole slot are positioned; the larger portion of said keyhole slot being out of alinement with said armed opening to prevent said switch operating member from being moved therein and disassembled.

5. In a flashlight of the candle type having a base provided with a flange, a casing carried by said base, and a battery and bulb carried by said casing; a plate carried by said flange and provided with an armed opening; a switch spring carried by said plate and adapted to close the electric circuit through said battery and bulb, and a switch operating member in said opening having a collar thereon adapted to pass through the center of said opening to allow said switch spring to move to closed position, to rest upon the edge of one arm of said opening to hold said switch spring in open position, and rest upon said flange in the other arm of said opening to complete the circuit between said switch spring and said flange. I

4 HERMAN G. GRAUBN'ER. 

